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Mesoscale Meteorology Course Syllabus, Spring 2017, Page 1 Atm Atm Sci 460 – Mesoscale Meteorology TR 9:30-10:45a, CHM 195 Spring 2017 (Dates and project details updated 28 March 2017.) Instructor: Prof. Clark Evans Contact: (414) 229-4469, [email protected], EMS W401 Office Hours: TR 12:30-1:45p or by appointment. Feel free to stop in whenever my door is open for short questions, or set up an appointment for longer ones. Prerequisites: Passing grade in Atm Sci 360 or instructor consent Course Website: http://derecho.math.uwm.edu/classes/AtmSci460.html Required Text: Mesoscale Meteorology in Midlatitudes by Paul Markowski and Yvette Richardson (available from the UWM Bookstore and elsewhere). I will provide supplementary lecture notes throughout the semester. I expect that you will read the relevant course material prior to the class when it is covered. Wrestle with the material and come to class prepared to ask questions and participate in discussions! Course Overview How to define the mesoscale? The AMS Glossary defines mesoscale as, "Pertaining to atmospheric phenomena having horizontal scales ranging from a few to several hundred kilometers." Relevant phenomena are said to include thunderstorms, squall lines, fronts, banded precipitation, mountain waves, and sea/lake/land breezes. Closely related to this definition, the mesoscale is characterized by features with vertical scale approaching, but not exceeding, their horizontal scale; the synoptic-scale is characterized by vertical scale much less than horizontal scale, while the microscale is characterized by vertical scale equaling or exceeding horizontal scale. Neglecting friction, there are three relevant forces governing horizontal parcel motions: centrifugal force, such as with curved flow; pressure gradient force; and Coriolis force. On the synoptic-scale, the latter two are in approximate (geostrophic) balance. On the microscale, the former two are of primary importance. On the mesoscale, however, all three forces may be important, each to varying degrees depending upon the physical phenomenon being considered. Finally, the mesoscale may also be defined based upon the length of time that it takes an air parcel to flow through a given feature, or the Lagrangian (flow-following) timescale. Mesoscale phenomena have Lagrangian timescales ranging from that of a gravity wave (with a restoring force of buoyancy; t ~ minutes), where the Coriolis force is relatively unimportant, to that of diurnally-driven phenomena (t ~ a day), where the Coriolis force is comparatively important. Mesoscale Meteorology Course Syllabus, Spring 2017, Page 1 In this class, we will first develop the mesoscale meteorologist's analysis toolbox, including radar and sounding analysis techniques. As mesoscale phenomena evolve in the background synoptic- scale environment, we will next review important synoptic meteorology concepts, particularly as it relates to identifying areas in and features along which ascent may occur. This will allow us to complete the semester with investigations of a diverse range of mesoscale phenomena, starting with dry lines and the low-level jet and ending with terrain-induced flows. Grading For undergraduate students, your grade will be based on your performance on the following: 20% Mid-Term Exam 20% Final Exam 40% Labs/Assignments (eight in total, 5% each) 20% Project For graduate students, your grade will be based on your performance on the following: 20% Mid-Term Exam 20% Final Exam 25% Labs/Assignments (eight in total, 3.125% each) 35% Project This class uses out-of-class readings to convey the what and in-class lectures and demonstrations to convey the why and how for mesoscale meteorological phenomena. Lab assignments are given to provide practice in applying this information to advance your own understanding. While you are welcome to discuss lab assignments with other students, your actual completed assignments must reflect your own work! Copying answers, in whole or in part, will result in no credit. Late assignments will only be accepted if late due to an excused absence. In some cases, assignments will be started in-class (likely in EMS W434); others will be completed entirely out of class. In both cases, assignments are due by the start of class one week after being assigned. Typically, assignments will be given on a Thursday and due the following Thursday. Both mid-term and final exams focus more on application than on memorization. My exams tend to ask questions that build on your understanding and experience in applying that understanding. Exam questions may draw from assigned readings, lectures, or assignments. The final exam is not cumulative and covers only material discussed in class after spring break. Make-up exams are only permissible in the event of an excused absence from class, including absences for university-recognized personal matters. If you are in doubt about whether your absence will qualify, please ask me ahead of time for clarification. Mesoscale Meteorology Course Syllabus, Spring 2017, Page 2 A key component of this course is the successful completion of a short project on an approved topic related to the course. A full description, including the different expectations on the scope of this project for undergraduate and graduate students, is provided at the end of this syllabus. Although not explicitly listed above, I expect that you will actively participate in class by coming prepared, asking questions for clarification, and answering questions when asked. Implicit to this is attending class. You are permitted up to three unexcused absences without penalty; the fourth and each subsequent absence will result in a three-point deduction on your final grade. Grades will be assigned based on the following scale: A 92.5-100% A- 90-92.49% B+ 87.5-89.99% B 82.5-87.49% B- 80-82.49% C+ 77.5-79.99% C 72.5-77.49% C- 70-72.49% D+ 67.5-69.99% D 62.5-67.49% D- 60-62.49% F 0-59.99% A grade of an “A” is intended to reflect mastery of the presented material. Grades of “B” and “C” are intended to reflect minor and major deficiencies, respectively, in your mastery of the presented material. Grades of “D” and “F” reflect no mastery of the presented material. Minor deficiencies include incomplete attribution while major deficiencies include incorrect attribution. Course Outline The following outline is tentative and subject to change. Please note, and review in advance, the text references for each topic. Dates listed for labs are their tentative assignment dates. Week Dates Topic(s) To Be Covered 1 Jan. 24, 26 No Class – AMS Annual Meeting 2 Jan. 31, Feb. 2 Introduction (Ch. 1); Radar Overview (Appendix A) 3 Feb. 7, 9 Sounding and Stability Analysis (Secs. 2.1, 2.3.3, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1) 4 Feb. 14, 16 Quasi-Geostrophic Theory 5 Feb. 21, 23 Fronts and Frontogenesis (Secs. 5.1.1-5.1.5) 6 Feb. 28, Mar. 2 Drylines and the Low-Level Jet (Secs. 4.7, 5.2) 7 Mar. 7, 9 Seabreezes and Related Phenomena (Sec. 5.4) 8 Mar. 14, 16 Boundary Layer Processes (Secs. 4.1-4.3); Mid-Term Exam 9 Mar. 21, 23 Spring Break – No Class 10 Mar. 28, 30 Mid-Term Review and Boundary Layer Processes (Secs 4.1-4.4) 11 Apr. 4, 6 Lake Effect Precipitation (Sec. 4.5) 12 Apr. 11, 13 Density Currents (Sec. 5.3) and Gravity Waves (Ch. 6) 13 Apr. 18, 20 Convective Cells (Ch. 7 and Secs. 8.1-8.3) 14 Apr. 25, 27 Supercell Dynamics (Sec. 8.4) 15 May 2, 4 Mesoscale Convective Systems (Ch. 9) 16 May 9, 11 Terrain-Induced Flows (Chs. 11-13); Evaluations and Project Presentations Mesoscale Meteorology Course Syllabus, Spring 2017, Page 3 Mid-Term: 16 March, in class Final: 18 May, 10:00-noon Lab 1: Radar Analysis (2 February) Lab 2: Sounding and Stability Analysis (9 February) Lab 3: Quasi-Geostrophic Theory (16 February) Lab 4: Frontal Analysis and Frontogenesis (23 February) Lab 5: Sea/Lake Breezes (9 March) Lab 6: Lake Effect Precipitation (6 April) Lab 7: Supercell Dynamics and Forecasting (27 April) Lab 8: Organized Mesoscale Convective Phenomena (4 May) Apart from the first week of the semester, I may be absent for one class during the middle of the semester due to research travel. I will let you know as soon as possible if this will be the case. If needed, we will make up that class at a mutually agreed-upon date and time. Course Credit Hour Statement This course is a three credit course. This means that this class represents an investment of time of at least 144 hours by the average student. Of these 144 hours, 45 are associated with in-class instruction, 32 with the completion of course assignments, 25 with the completion of the course project, and 42 with each student’s study of course materials. Departmental Regulations Any room changes and/or course cancellations will be posted on departmental letterhead only. University Regulations University-Wide Rights and Regulations The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has established a series of policies relating to student rights and regulations in this and all UWM-offered courses. You are encouraged to read through these policies at http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/news_events/upload/Syllabus-Links.pdf at your earliest convenience. Please notify me if you need special accommodations in order to meet any course requirements. Statement of Academic Misconduct The university has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity and to develop procedures to deal effectively with instances of academic dishonestly. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others’ academic endeavors. Further information can be found at http://uwm.edu/academicaffairs/facultystaff/policies/academic-misconduct/. Mesoscale Meteorology Course Syllabus, Spring 2017, Page 4 Statement of Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the University.
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